Town Lake (Lady Bird Lake? Whatever we’re supposed to be calling it these days), is home to carp, bass, catfish and other aquatic life. These fishy freeloaders hang out underwater all day, eating government algae and not paying taxes. As far as we’re concerned, these damn fish have had an undeserved monopoly on the lake for far too long. Besides, being underwater is overrated. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s high time we take our lake back.
“But Do512, how are we going to do that?”
By having a party on the lake. NO FISH ALLOWED.
That’s right, we’re gonna be straight up partying on a yacht, eating food, drinking beer, and blasting awesome music. Meanwhile, under the surface, those stupid fish are just gonna have to shut up and cover their fish ears with their fins. We’re talkin’ multiple DJs, free food, free beer, and speciality cocktails. It’s gonna be a bonafide rager, and you’re invited. That is, unless you look like this nerd:
“Romance and suspense in Paris, as a woman is pursued by several men who want a fortune her murdered husband had stolen. Who can she trust?” This is the 1963 Hollywood classic, Charade, starring Cary Grant, Walter Matthau, and Audrey Hepburn and it is making an appearance at the Alamo Drafthouse this month as part of the Big Screen Classic series to celebrate it’s 50th anniversary.
Despite its age, Charade will always be considered one of the most brilliant comic odes to the vintage Hollywood spy genre combining romance, suspense and comedy into one purely enjoyable cinematic experience.
Audrey Hepburn stars as Regina, a young housewife who unexpectedly gets hurled into the world of espionage. Cary Grant plays the smooth-talking charismatic persona that he is most recognized for throughout his career. As a spy, he sets out to obtain Regina’s recently deceased husband’s money. Of course, he is not the only one searching. Soon, the two are forced to work together to survive. Together, they make one of the strongest, most confident screen couples of all-time.
If you’ve never seen Charade before, this your opportunity to catch it on the big screen! Showings will take place on Sunday, May 19th at 4pm at Lake Creek, 4:20pm at Slaughter Lane. Additional showings will be on Wednesday, May 22nd at 6:55pm at Lake Creek and 7:15pm at Slaughter Lane. Make sure to purchase your tickets in advance and prepare to sit back and enjoy this Hollywood classic.
Keep Austin Extreme? ESPN is looking for the next home of the Summer X Games from 2014-2016. The men behind the curtain are looking at Austin, Detroit, Chicago, and Charlotte. Circuit of The Americas and the Austin Sports Commission are encouraging fans around the region to show their support for the City of Austin’s bid by joining the online campaign.
“Showing feverish fan support is an important part of landing the X Games, and the three cities Austin is competing against are going all out to show how much they want to win this spectacular event,” said Paul Thornton, who has led recruitment efforts on behalf of Austin and Circuit of The Americas, which would serve as primary host for the multi-day event.
“We are encouraging X Games fans everywhere to join the online campaign through the X Games Austin official website, Facebook and Twitter pages and by using their own social media channels to get the word out. Every post, comment, ‘Like’, and tweet will help show ESPN that Austin means business and is the perfect city to host the summer version of the X Games for the next three years.”
ESPN said Detroit has mounted the biggest social media campaign to attract the games. Come on y’all. Detroit? We can do better than that. If you want Austin to host the games, post, comment, ‘Like’, tweet and hashtag: #xgamesaustin.
ESPN will visit Austin the week of June 3-7. Let’s show them a good time, and maybe we’ll get to witness this type of action first hand:
One thing you might know about “Dark Side of the Moon” is that you can do it all kinds of crazy ways. There’s the uber-trippy laser light show. There’s a re-imagined reggae version, Dub Side of the Moon– ya mon. There’s the backwards Dark Side of the Rainbow– freaky, maaan . The Flaming Lips did it too. And then there’s Dark Side of the Moon performed by a symphony orchestra. All completely awesome, all unique experiences.
The Austin Symphony Orchestra + international touring act, Jeans ‘n Classics executed a super special performance of “Dark Side of the Moon — The Music of Pink Floyd” last night at the Long Center. Not knowing what to expect from this classical rendition of an album we’ve all heard and enjoyed dozens of times, I was pleasantly surprised with the well, pleasant experience. The show itself wasn’t too dramatic, too loud or over-the-top. Not too anything– it was just great; I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t have loved that.
Before they dove into the Dark Side, there was barbecue and beer on the terrace in the gorgeous weather. The show began with a medley of classic covers to fist pump and sing along to. Then we were instructed to lay back and soak in the awesomeness. The crowd obliged. There was a mix of families, enthusiastic middle-aged Floyd fans, and plenty of scattered 20 somethings. Pink Floyd will always be cool, no matter how classy the show. But of course wouldn’t be a Floyd show in Austin without a bit of good front-row ruckus. Thanks, Long Center for a fantastic evening.
Liza, oh Liza. She really can take over the stage and belt out those show tunes we all know and love so well. Money may make the world go round, but you can snag yourself a ticket for this brunchtime showing of Cabaret at Alamo Drafthouse on May 18th at noon and take a few moments for yourself, without pouring out the gold and diamonds for a good time.
Listen, Mein Herr, Cabaret may be one of the most widely known movies of all time when it comes to the songs, the dances, the jewels and ohhhhhhh what can we even say about Liza? Incorporated in this 1972 film are stories of love, struggle, and the life of a bohemian performer all on top of the shifting political atmosphere taking shape in 1931 Berlin. The times were a-changing, and the performances, messages, and underlying themes were directionally altered as well. With Bob Fosse taking charge of choreography and establishing a style of dance no one had seen before, to this day you won’t be able to take your eyes away from the swift, beautiful, and creative scenes represented on the big screen.
Your Saturday was lacking a certain element of entertainment; sprinkling some music from the great Cabaret into life can make any day better. We knew your brunch time was in need of a full song and dance, and now you’ve found it. Sip on a mimosa or two (or three), get engrossed in the theatrical and over the top everything of Cabaret, and let Liza, John Gray, and the whole slew of cast and creators take you away as you snack on a full Alamo Drafthouse brunch too! Willkommen to Cabaret!
In the ’80s one of the most influential bands on the metal scene was Metallica. 30 years later they’re still pumping out new albums, like Death Magnetic and the newly released compilation with Lou Reed, “LU LU.” ONE, the only Metallica tribute band, pays tribute to their three decades of heavy riffage at Emo’s on Tuesday, May 21st.
ONE has spent its entire musical career perfecting the audio and visual style that is Metallica, with a library of over more than 50 songs. Fans of Metallica can expect to hear favorites from the past as well as songs from later in their career. Chris Westfall, the lead singer of ONE, not only sounds like Metallica lead singer James Hetfield, but tries to give the audience an experience that can only be had at a Metallica concert. Westfall has even spent thousands of dollars on guitars that look like or have been played by Metallica members, so that the experience is as genuine as possible.
Opening for bands like Skid Row, Buckcherry, JACKYL, Adema, Stephen Pearcy (RATT), KIX, Warrant, Winger, and Foghat, ONE has shared the stage with some big names all over the country. They will be joined at Emo’s on May 21st by Drifter, an Austin-based Iron Maiden tribute.
Ready for a five-day jamboree of scripted comedy from funny people both local and across the U.S.?
ATX Sketch Fest is back for round three with a stellar line-up of out of town acts and the best of Austin sketch comedy. Sketch Fest will feature 12 acts in nine shows over five days in three venues (May 22nd-27th).
Organized by ColdTowne Theater, the previous festivals were both big-time successes, with sell out shows all weekend and talent including funny people like… actually we’ll let the lineup speak for itself, IN ALL CAPS: SUPEREGO, PAUL F. TOMPKINS, ENNIS AND KAYE, BEIGE, LANCELIFE, MASTER PANCAKE, STAG, YOUR TERRIFIC NEIGHBORS and many, many more! And since last December the Earth didn’t blow up, ATX Sketch Fest intends to up the ante this year and party like its Ford Truck Month– YOLO!
Headlining the cracking-wise, Superego w/ special guest Paul F. Tompkins will be performing at ColdTowne Theater Friday, May 24th. This super group, SUPEREGO, began in 2006 when Matt Gourley and Jeremy Carter finally decided to record some of the stupid things they had been saying. Luckily, Podcasts were just starting to emerge as form of media that no one was listening to. Soon after, Superego prayed to the comedy gods and their podcast grew, and now boasting over a million downloads. The 3rd ATX Sketch Fest will also mark the return of Paul F. Tompkins, a comedy jedi of sorts.
Also holding down the fort that weekend, STAG Comedy manifested from the dusty BBQ-stained streets of Austin, Texas. Founded by former members of movie-mockers, Master Pancake Theater, STAG has since assimilated a sort of justice league of ridiculously hilarious and surprising sketch groups locally and nationally. All of this promises to be a weekend of killer talent!
And don’t worry if you’re not funny, the ATX Sketch Fest will be holding comedy workshops for those “less funny.” ColdTowne classes are fun, relaxed, and open to people of all comedy backgrounds. It doesn’t matter if you suck or bring down the house – the ColdTowne Conservatory will take care of you.
Anyhow, now you know what’s up. Go check out ATX Sketch Fest’s website for details and tickets (take our advice, get “The Fest Pass”).
And as always, stay tuned to us, the True OG’s in comedy.
Time to get fanciful, frilly and foxy for another fun CharityBash Benefit Concert! This month Citizen Generation is hosting another cocktail party to benefit a great and local cause known as the Groundwork Music Project. Their mission is “to provide free and low cost music lessons to young children with limited means.” With your contributions, this Austin non-profit can help create the next music legend or simply bring joy to a child in desperate need of the glory that is music.
As you can see below this CharityBash is pulling out all the stops starting with the most prestigious venue-The Allan House. Oh it’s gorgeous ya’ll; people get married there. While your enjoying the beautiful architecture of this Victorian mansion built in 1883 you can sip on special Deep Eddy cocktails featuring the latest addition-Ruby Red! Also, to entertain your ears and mind LiveVibe Collective will be there to feature live music by Nano Whitman, Reed Turner, and The Roosevelts. It’s going to be a fun night to remember and be proud of as you help benefit your community in style.
Tickets and/or donations can be purchased here for the May 23rd CharityBash at The Allan House. A $20 contribution is suggested to enjoy complimentary cocktails, bites, and live music.
Toad the Wet Sprocket are an American band, but they arguably owe their mid-career, multi-tracked guitar sound to The Smiths, rather than stateside contemporaries R.E.M. At their 1991 breakthrough peak, they excelled in quietly powerful guitar pop; and quickly attained mainstream success. It’s hard to tell (and still debated among music nerds) if Toad the Wet Sprocket were emulating Britpop, or merely coming to the same musical conclusions as our friends across the pond. Regardless, they made a sizeable splash in both of the land masses in question. After all, it’s pretty hard to find fault in a song like “Walking on the Ocean Floor”, even if you’re a person that obsesses about authenticity in music. Ahhh, relax and let the warm haze of nostalgia and dated video production envelope you.
And what’s with the name, Toad the Wet Sprocket? Doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. What you have to remember is that they formed in 1986, a time in the world when Frankie Goes to Hollywood & Huey Lewis and the News were considered reasonable things to call your music act. Of course, those two bands were on a totally opposite sphere of the music scene, but the point remains. For those of you who are truly curious about the origin of the group’s name, we’ll spoil the mystery and tell you that it’s a tongue-in-cheek reference to a Monty Python sketch.
The thing to remember is that quality of music will always outshine a goofy band name, and Toad the Wet Sprocket have that, in abundance. Their 1991 album, Fear, dominated the charts and shot Toad the Wet Sprocket to Top 40 prominence. It also afforded them the chance to bring their music to coveted TV spots like The Tonight Show. This is around the time their album went certified double platinum. For a couple of guys that knew each other from high school and decided to start playing music together, it was an ideal career trajectory.
In 1997, they released Coil, which performed less than amicably due to lackluster promotion by Columbia Records. Soon after, they decided to call it quits. Call it in-band fighting, the stress of a demanding touring schedule or plain old exhaustion; the result was the same. The guys had had enough. Lead singer Glen Phillips went on to find some solo success, but for the most part things were quiet.
To the excitement of fans, Toad the Wet Sprocket reunited several times in the late 90′s and mid aught’s, but no new album announcements came until March of this year. Presently, the guys are in the midst of a U.S. tour that thankfully rolls through Austin. They’ll be playing your favorite old tracks, the ones that catapulted them to stardom, as well as cuts off their as-yet untitled new album to be release sometime within the year.
Can we have a suggestion from the audience; name a place you would go on your honeymoon?
…David Bowie’s house!
Then hilarity ensues because no answer can be wrong on Whose Live Anyway?
Sounds a lot like Whose line is it anyway? right?! Well it’s because it’s the same thing with the added bonus of live-ness! Ryan, Greg, Chip and Jeff are coming to Austin to make you laugh as they improv their way into your hearts with fun games & suggestions you shout out. To prepare for this event you may want to change your wallpaper to the faces of the cast so you can be reminded of their talent as you stalk people on Facebook! Then you can count the days till you get to be apart of the audience as you prep your brain with suggestions.
Have you guys heard Greg Proops on the comedy station ya’ll? He is the definition of witty! This show is guaranteed to make you Proops your pants! The cast will leave you gasping for air in your lungs; you may die of laughter which is a pretty good way to go if you ask us.
The Long Center will be hosting this fun event on May 17th at 8:00pm and you can get your tickets here. Also, make sure you click “I like it” for the chance to win a free pair of tickets! The show runs 90 minutes long and everyone is invited!
Do512 is the best place to find out about all the great stuff happening around Austin. Tons of happy hours, music, arts, and entertainment events posted weekly. Become a fan and follow us on Twitter: @Do512!
Search
Yesterday’s Musings
Do512 Lounge Presented by Shiner Beer & Austin Music Weekly
![IMG_0172[1]](http://do512blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IMG_01721.jpg)
 Cabaret at Alamo Drafthouse on May 18th)
